Tourmania · Göreme
A two-hour ride from a ranch in Göreme through Rose, Red and Love valleys, timed so you reach a viewpoint as the sun goes down. It doesn't go to Uchisar Castle; book it for a calm, walking-pace way into valleys the minibus tours never reach.
Tourmania sells this ride, and one guest names the Dalton Brothers ranch in Göreme as the stable behind it. A car collects you from your hotel in the late afternoon and drops you at the ranch, where you get a helmet and a hairnet and a short lesson on steering and stopping. Then the line of horses heads out with the guides through Rose Valley, Red Valley and Love Valley, past fairy chimneys and pigeon houses, and stops at a viewpoint for the sunset.
This ride does not go to Uchisar Castle. It stays in the valleys north and east of Göreme, the other side of town from Uchisar. That's the appeal: you get into canyons that no minibus can drive through, at the best hour of the day, without having to walk the distance. No experience is needed. Guests describe a walk most of the way, horses that are calm and well kept, and guides who will hold your reins if you're nervous.
Three limits to know. The minimum age is 15, riders must weigh 90 kg or less for the horses' sake, and the listing isn't recommended for pregnant travellers or anyone with back problems. One guest with riding experience felt the horses were kept too close together in a narrow stone ravine, and noted a paid drinks bar at the sunset stop. Bring some cash and keep a horse's length from the one in front.
An air-conditioned car collects you in the Göreme area; the operator sets the time by the day's sunset.
Helmet and hairnet on, then how to steer, stop and sit on the climbs. The guides match each rider to a horse.
Down sandy tracks between pink-and-white rock walls, fairy chimneys and old pigeon houses.
Past the tall, smooth chimneys of Love Valley, walking pace most of the way.
Up to a viewpoint facing the setting sun. There's a small paid bar at the stop, then the ride back to the ranch.
The car takes you back to your hotel, in time for dinner.
★★★★★A lovely setting on beautiful horses, well mannered horses that you can tell are treated like royalty. They provided hairnets and helmets and made sure everyone was safe and comfortable before we took off. [...] This isn't a ride for those that want to go any faster than a walk, but is perfect for those who want to see this stunning landscape from the back of a horse.
★★★★★A fantastic trip from pick-up to drop-off. We are very inexperienced riders, but the team and the horses could not have been more patient. A fun time was had by all (parents with adult sons) and we got to see a beautiful sunset.
★★★★★Loved it. So easy to learn how to ride. View was amazing. Of you are scared they are willing to hold your horses reigns the entire time so you don’t have to control it.
★★★★★Fantastic evening spent calmly riding through the amazing valleys of Goreme. Horses were well cared for and tuition from riders was great. Lovely friendly staff. Perfect evening. 10/10
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No. The route covers Rose, Red and Love valleys on the Göreme and Çavuşin side. Uchisar is 4 km the other way. Do the castle on another afternoon by bus or on foot through Pigeon Valley; see our sunset guide for how to fit both in.
No. The listing says no experience is needed, and most reviewers were first-timers. The guides give a short lesson, lead the line and can hold your reins. The pace is mostly a walk.
Riders must be 15 or older and weigh no more than 90 kg. The listing doesn't recommend the ride for pregnant travellers or people with back problems.
About 2 hours 30 minutes door to door, with 2 hours on horseback. Pickup time follows the season's sunset, so expect a late-afternoon start in autumn and a later one in summer.
Ready to book
Two hours on horseback through Rose, Red and Love valleys as the sun goes down, with hotel pickup. Beginners welcome.
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